Meg Schebler, Ashford University director of athletics, has been selected as one of eight 2012 Administrator of the Year Award recipients by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA).

Schebler received the award in the NAIA/NJCAA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics/National Junior College Athletic Association) divisions.

The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is presented annually to NACWAA members for significant contributions made as athletics administrators. Schebler, along with the seven other honorees will be honored on October 9 in Kansas City at the 2012 NACWAA National Convention Administrator of the Year Luncheon.

The Ashford University Athletics Department has grown tremendously and improved dramatically since Schebler joined the Saints' staff in 1998. The Saints have appeared in more NAIA national championship tournaments than ever before, highlighted most recently by men's soccer, women's soccer, men's basketball, women's golf, and the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams. Also under Schebler's guidance, AU has successfully transitioned into a new conference affiliation, joining the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) on July 1, 2012.

“It is certainly an honor to be receiving this award,” said Schebler. “I am humbled by this recognition and truly grateful for all the outstanding people I get to collaborate with at all levels of my job. It is because of them that I have the opportunity to have fun at work every day.”

Inside the classroom, the Saints' teams have been nothing short of spectacular. After winning the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) Presidents' Cup in back-to-back seasons, Ashford most recently placed all 15 eligible NAIA athletic programs on the NAIA Scholar-Team list for the 2011-12 academic year.

“Meg Schebler is one of the finest college administrators with whom I have had the pleasure and privilege to work,” said John Ballheim, vice president and campus director of Ashford University. “Specific to athletics, she has developed a first class athletic department - a department that directly works with approximately one third of our undergraduate campus population. The structure she has built provides not only a fine foundation on which athletes can grow and become good performers on the field, courts and track, but a foundation that also encourages academic performance at least equal to athletic performance. Perhaps most importantly of all, she has developed an athletic department that encourages personal character development that is consistent with the historic values of our nearly 100-year-old campus. Ashford is a better place because of Meg's leadership, and our student-athletes are better people because of Meg's leadership.” 

Schebler has been active at the NAIA conference, regional and national levels. She currently serves as an at-large member of the NAIA National Administrative Council, the governing body of the national association, while also serving on the NAIA Gender Equity Committee, Hall of Fame and Honors Committee, and the Champions of Character Advisory Committee. She has been an officer of the NAIA Athletic Directors' Association, serving as president in 2006-07 and served for many years as the chair of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament Committee.

Schebler is also active in the Clinton community, currently serving on the YWCA Board of Directors. She is an annual participant in Relay for Life and has also volunteered for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

“This year's NACWAA Administrator of the Year award recipients represent the thousands of women across the country who serve their institutions and conferences on a daily basis in extraordinary ways,” said Jane Miller, NACWAA awards committee chair and board of directors member.  “Their commitment, support, promotion and celebration of young people who aspire to achieve excellence in their sport and careers is truly inspiring. By honoring them as the 2012 NACWAA Administrators of the Year, we celebrate and thank them for their outstanding leadership and service.”

About the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators

NACWAA is the premier advocacy organization that empowers, develops, assists, celebrates, affirms, involves and honors women working in all fields of intercollegiate athletics and takes a pro-active role in advancing women into positions of influence. NACWAA is dedicated to empowering, developing and advancing the success of women throughout the profession. Learn more at www.nacwaa.org.

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.